Australian Immigration Daily News

The Department is proposing a number of legislative reforms in a Bill (Protecting Migrant Workers) to amend the Migration Act 1958. These are aimed at strengthening existing protocols to address worker exploitation involving non-Australian workers in Australia.

The intention is to send a strong message to unscrupulous employers and labour hire intermediaries that the exploitation of migrant workers as cheap labour is not acceptable. It is not only unfair to migrant workers, and to those employers who seek to do the right thing, but it also damages Australia’s reputation as a destination of choice. The Bill also seeks to send a strong message to temporary migrant workers that the Government is committed to combatting migrant worker exploitation, supporting them to feel more confident and secure about working in Australia.

The Department invites public submissions on the Exposure Draft of the draft Migration Amendment (Protecting Migrant Workers) Bill 2021 until midnight (AEST) on Monday 16 August 2021.

Source: Exposure-Draft-Migration-Amendment-Protecting-Migrant-Workers-Bill-2021.pdf

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood today released an updated Consumer Guide which supports individuals seeking immigration assistance from Registered Migration Agents.

The updated Consumer Guide reflects recent amendments to the Migration Act 1958 which removed unnecessary dual regulation for legal practitioners operating in the migration advice industry.

“The protection of consumers remains a key focus for the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) and the updated Consumer Guide is another example of our commitment to ensuring a world class migration advice industry," Assistant Minister Wood said.

This compilation was prepared by the Department of Home Affairs on 7 July 2021 taking into account amendments up to Migration (Complying Investments) Amendment Instrument (LIN 21/041) 2021.

A summary of these changes implemented on 1 July 2021 can be accessed by clicking on this link BIIP and CIF summary post 1 July 2021:

streamling-biip-and-cif-summary-landscape-1.pdf

The following email was received from the SA government:

Skilled Migrants meeting the South Australian state nomination requirements will be able to directly apply for nomination from 8am, Tuesday 20 July 2021.
 
Full details of state nomination requirements can be viewed here.
 
Important: In order for South Australia to approve your nomination you will be required to meet both the Department of Home Affairs criteria and South Australia’s requirements. 
 
Our skilled migration program will focus on the following:    

• Talent and Innovators Program
  Providing opportunities and pathways for those who can contribute to South Australia’s priority growth industry sectors. Learn more here.
   
• Currently working in South Australia (including long-term residents in SA)
  If you are living and working in outer regional South Australia, or a long-term resident living and working in SA, you may be eligible for concessions to the skilled work experience requirements. Learn more here
   
• International Graduate of South Australia
  SA graduates must be currently working in their nominated or closely related occupation for the last 3 months in South Australia (post-course completion), unless specified differently for your occupation. Learn more here.
   
• Offshore Registration of Interest - Critical Skills
  Specific trade and health occupations are now available to offshore applicants. You can submit a Registration of Interest application if you meet the published requirements for your occupation. Learn more here.

In addition, South Australia offers a range of programs available to skilled migrants, view our website for employer sponsored pathways.
 
The Skilled Occupation List will allow you the opportunity to review specific occupation requirements. The online application system for new submissions will be available from 8am Tuesday 20 July 2021.
 
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